32 Nigeriens fleeing Ghana through unapproved route busted

Security officials in Ghana have arrested 32 Nigeriens who were returning to their home country using an unapproved route to neighbouring Burkina Faso.

They were arrested on Saturday, June 13, 2020, at Beat Two, a known unapproved route at Hamile in the Upper West Region.

Initial investigations by the Ghana Immigration Service revealed that the migrants aged between 17 and 74, who have been living in Ghana for some time now, had planned to sneak into Burkina Faso and then proceed to Niger for farming activities.

“At about 0530HRS, the vigilant Immigration Officials on duty at Beat Two, a known unapproved route bordering neighbouring Burkina Faso in the Hamile Sector Command, nabbed thirty-two Nigeriens whose modus operandi was to journey into Burkina Faso through unapproved route and possibly proceed to their home country, Niger. Preliminary investigations revealed that they have been residing in Ghana for some time now, but now wished to return home for farming activities.”

Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Immigration Service in the region, Ibn Yussif Duranah, in a statement said the Nigeriens have been screened by port health officials and sent back to Kumasi where they resided before embarking on the trip.

“The busted ECOWAS nationals comprised of thirty-one males and a female. Their ages ranged between 17 and 74. They were screened by the health personnel before being sent back to Kumasi and its environs on-board Grandbird Tour Bus with registration number GT 4356-16. Their return trip is keenly monitored,” the statement added.

Ghana’s borders remain shut over virus fears

Ghana has tightened its borders as the country recorded first two cases of the COVID-19 in March.

The country’s border operatives have been making significant arrests as part of efforts to prevent the virus from spreading.

Ghana has so far recorded over 11,000 COVID-19 cases with 54 deaths.